Patience: Part Quattro

This year has been a year of patience; and waiting.

It's Christmas Day.

My road to gaining wisdom, patience, and clarity started with my residency in a place for homeless Veterans. And while I was never afforded to take advantage of the full benefits that the program had to offer, my time there was paramount in the development of my character and resolve.

Today, I am excited about what my time there did provide, both for myself and the benefit of others by my personal growth. I gained some friends and lost some friends. I had work, and I had no job. I knew what it was like to have a little "jingle" in my pocket, and I knew what it was like to have none.

Paul is also an incredible example of this. What we need to be cognizant of, is that we can ALL experience the personal; and more importantly, spiritual growth, as Paul did. I, without a shadow of a doubt, have this year; and you can too.

However, we do not ave to experience the trials and tribulations he did, to the extent that Paul did. He knew chains, both in the natural and spiritually. He knew poverty and excess. He did not experience the wealth that Solomon did, but the greater excess of wealth came in the area of spirituality.

Many of us will never be in bondage physically. But we need to be ever present of the power that the Devil can have on us spiritually. Trust me, it is NOT the kind of bondage that I would wish on you, nor the kind that I want you to experience.

Pray! Surround yourself with the Holy Spirit. Surround yourself with people that are strong in their relationship with Christ. He is your Father! He is your Provider! He is the great Physician and Healer! Only He and He alone can relieve you of your pain and sorrow. Your feelings of Despair. Your feelings of Hurt! The drain on your Finances! The deep, dark hole due to a lack of Faith and Strength and Resolve in your walk with God!

This morning, my prayer for my friends, family, and brother and sisters in Christ is that they will feel the Awesome Power of God! Simple, yet life-changing. I pray for exponential growth in all areas of your life. Finances, Health, Work, Family; the blessings that we all wish for, and should pray for; unceasingly.

Many of us will not have the luxury to be with all of the people in our lives that are important to us. But no matter how much Earth we are divided by...be it sand, water or fire, I pray that each of you will know that you are missed and loved!

Today we need to be mindful of the Christ. His patience with ALL situations; perfectly displayed by a perfect existence, free from sin. He came into the world in human form, spent thirty-three years preparing for his mission; and completing it with grace.

He are a few verse that might be helpful in this time of joy, peace, love and patience:

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.", Ephesians 4:2 NIV

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.", Romans 12:12  NIV

And as Jesus and Paul understood, and provided exemplary practice and discernment in faith of the process:

"Let us not become weary in doing good,  for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.", Galatians 6:9, NIV

I believe that just as Jesus and Paul did, we can provide our own example to others if we walk this way, daily; in Faith and with Resolve in the eventual outcome.

God wants the best in each of us. We all have been given spiritual gifts. In the Bible they are affectionately referred to as the "Fruits of the Spirit."

Read them. Examine them. Internalize them.

You will be transformed, and will be an example that will lead to an AWESOME transformation the the lives and welfare of others.

Give it a try, daily, for the entire year, beginning January 1, 2017.

You will not only be surprised, but you will see the resulting transformation, in yourself and others in your circle of influence.